Samuel "Sam" Dean Hiller, 87, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away at 9:33 A.M., Friday, June 24, 2022 at the Pinckneyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Sam was born on January 2, 1935 in Pinckneyville, IL, the son of Samuel Hiller and Mary Evelyn (Sheley) Hiller Shriver.
He was a 1953 graduate of Pinckneyville High School. He attended SIU-C for two years and worked for the Southern Illinoisan Newspaper. He was a lifetime member of Loyal TEKE fraternity and served as chaplain. He returned to SIU-C and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice. He was a member of the SIU Alumni Association.
Sam proudly served his country by joining the Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged on March 5, 1958 after attaining the rank of Sergeant.
He was appointed to the Illinois State Police (ISP) and graduated on July 8, 1958 from the ISP academy. His career took him to Lake County, Rantoul, Champaign, and Springfield. Sam began parachute jumping and scuba diving. He became a certified scuba diver and certified CPR instructor. He was a CPR instructor at the ISP academy and later taught First Aid and CPR for other agencies and organizations. He became a detective for ISP. Some of his duties included being a member of security details that protected President Truman and Otto Kerner.
Sam, along with two other ISP troopers, was instrumental in forming the State Police union. He was also responsible for getting the Fraternal Order of Police established at District 13. It was in 1965 that his assignment brought him to District 13. He was involved in the efforts to maintain peace during the riots at Cairo and SIU-C. He ended his career after twenty-eight and a half years and attained the rank of Master Sergeant.
In 1986, he ran for public office as Sheriff of Perry County and successfully won three terms. He retired in 1998 after a successful career. He was a member of the Illinois Sheriff's Association.
His accomplishments were many in his service to the county. He helped to unionize the Sheriff's office, he initiated the D.A.R.E. program, he arranged for the housing of Federal prisoners at the county jail, and was a leader in bringing the 911 program to Perry County.
Sam was a very civic minded person. He belonged to many community organizations: Pinckneyville Lions Club, a charter member of the Optimist Club, served on the Library board for ten years, a member of St. Bruno Parish where he served on the church council and taught high school religion classes, a member of the Blue Army, Knights of Columbus, a member of the Republican party, and the NRA.
He became a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Tamaroa, where he served on the church council and finance committee. He taught high school religion classes to students of Immaculate Conception Church and St. Charles Church in Du Bois. He was a lifetime member of the Du Bois Knights of Columbus Council #4476.
Sam had an eventful, colorful life and a distinguished law enforcement career. He enjoyed travel and cherished his trips to Fatima in Portugal.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn, five children - Shawn of Du Quoin, Colleen Lacy (Olin) of Tamaroa, Maureen Noack (Milo) of Greenleaf, WI, Bridget McDaniel (Neal) of Du Quoin, and Darren of Du Quoin, step children - Stephanie Dent (Rick) of Bonnie, Natalie Lynch (Ron) of Du Bois, and Martin Skorch (Randie) of Scheller, grandchildren - Lauren Prochaska (James), Ryan Hiller (Shelby), Taylor Hiller, Brittany Lacy, Jacob Lacy (Lindsay), Halle Matecki, and Emma Shopinski, step grandchildren - Megan Czerniejewski (Josh), Logan Czerniejewski, Daniel Dent, Miranda, Martina, and Michaela Skorch, Hunter Noack, Phillip Noack (McKenzie), and Katelyn Noack (Luke), great grandchildren - Lane and Riley Prochaska, Jayden and Peyton Hiller, one brother - Steven Hiller and sister-in-law Lynn of Highland Park, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers - Ron and Don, son - Kevin Hiller, daughter-in-law - Jo Carol, grandsons - Devin Hiller and Alek Shopinski, and step son-in-law - Allen Czerniejewski.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 2, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tamaroa with Fr. Carl Schrage officiating.
Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Friday at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa.
The State Police will honor Sam with an honor guard.
Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Tamaroa, IL.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and the United States Marine Corps.
Friends may make memorials to Perry County Jail Museum, Hospice of Southern Illinois or Masses and will be accepted at the funeral home.